Airworthiness Directives; American Champion Aircraft Corp.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 12, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17542-17545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06960]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0283; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-009-AD; 
Amendment 39-18849; AD 2017-07-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; American Champion Aircraft Corp.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
American Champion Aircraft Corp. Model 8KCAB airplanes. This AD 
requires fabrication and installation of a placard to prohibit 
aerobatic flight, inspection of the aileron hinge rib and support, and 
a reporting requirement of the inspection results to the FAA. This AD 
was prompted by a report of a cracked hinge support and cracked hinge 
ribs, which resulted in partial loss of control with the aileron 
binding against the cove. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 12, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 12, 
2017.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 30, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE.,

[[Page 17543]]

Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
American Champion Aircraft Corp., P.O. Box 37, 32032 Washington Ave., 
Rochester, Wisconsin 53167; telephone: (262) 534-6315; fax: (262) 534-
2395; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.americanchampionaircraft.com/service-letters.html. It is also 
available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0283.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0283; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wess Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, 2300 
East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: 
(847) 294-8113; fax: (847) 294-7834; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received a report of an event on an American Champion Aircraft 
Corp. Model 8KCAB airplane. In this event the pilot reported a stuck 
aileron during some phases of flight. The pilot was able to ``un-
stick'' the aileron and land the airplane. Upon inspection, the 
operator found cracked structure around several of the aileron hinges. 
This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked hinge support and cracked 
hinge ribs, which resulted in partial loss of control with the aileron 
binding against the cove. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in failure of the aileron support structure; leading to 
excessive deflection, binding of the control surface, and potential 
loss of control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition 
on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed American Champion Aircraft Corp. Service Letter 442, 
dated February 16, 2017. The service information describes procedures 
for initial and repetitive inspections of the aileron hinge rib and 
support. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between the AD and the Service Information.'' This AD 
also requires sending the inspection results to the FAA so that 
appropriate FAA-approved repair action can be incorporated and the 
information can be evaluated for any possible future inspections or 
modifications.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    American Champion Aircraft Corp. Service Letter (SL) 442, dated 
February 16, 2017, requires repetitive inspections. The FAA has not 
determined whether these intervals are appropriate. This AD includes 
fabrication and installation of a placard limiting aerobatic flight for 
the 10 flight hours allowed prior to the inspection. The service 
information does not contain such a placard limitation. The service 
information requires reporting inspection results to American Champion. 
This AD requires reporting of inspection results to the FAA. The 
service information does not address corrective actions if cracks are 
found. This AD will not allow further flight for airplanes with known 
cracks. The actions required by this AD take precedence over the 
service information.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because these 
cracks can lead to a loss of control and current evidence suggests they 
are growing rapidly. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for 
prior public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2017-0283 and 
Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-009-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 64 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fabrication of placard, inspection of   2 work-hours x $85 per              $100         $270.00         $17,280
 aileron hinge rib and support, and      hour = $170.00.
 report of findings to the FAA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 17544]]

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs'' 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2017-07-10 American Champion Aircraft Corp.: Amendment 39-18849; 
Docket No. FAA-2017-0283; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-009-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 12, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following American Champion Aircraft 
Corp. Model 8KCAB airplanes that are certificated in any category:
    (i) Serial numbers 1116-2012 through 1120-2012, and 1122-2012 
and up; and
    (ii) any Model 8KCAB airplane equipped with part number 4-2142 
exposed balance ailerons.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked hinge support and 
cracked hinge ribs, which resulted in partial loss of control with 
the aileron binding against the cove. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the aileron support structure, which may lead to 
excessive deflection, binding of the control surface, and potential 
loss of control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Restrict Airplane Operation

    As of April 12, 2017 (the effective date of this AD), the 
airplane is restricted to non-aerobatic flight until the actions 
required in paragraphs (h)(1) through (3) of this AD are done, as 
applicable. This restriction is done as follows:
    (1) Before further flight after April 12, 2017 (the effective 
date of this AD), fabricate a placard using at least \1/8\ inch 
letters with the words ``AEROBATIC FLIGHT PROHIBITED'' on it and 
install the placard on the instrument panel within the pilot's clear 
view.
    (2) This action may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) 
holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered 
into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in 
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). 
The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, 
or 135.439.

(h) Inspection

    (1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after April 
12, 2017 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the aileron hinge 
rib and support following American Champion Aircraft Corporation 
Service Letter (SL) 442, dated February 16, 2017.
    (2) If no cracks are found, during the inspection required in 
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, the placard prohibiting aerobatic 
flight required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD can be removed.
    (3) If cracks are found during the inspection required in 
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, no further flight is permitted until an 
FAA-approved repair for this AD has been accomplished. There is 
currently no fix for airplanes with cracks in this area so such 
airplanes could not be operated until a repair that was FAA-approved 
specifically for the AD is incorporated.
    (4) Within 10 days after the inspection required in paragraph 
(h)(1) of this AD or within 10 days after April 12, 2017 (the 
effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, report the 
inspection results to the FAA at the Chicago Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO). Submit the report to the FAA using the contact 
information found in paragraph (j) of this AD. Include in the report 
the following information:
    (i) Hours TIS on the airplane since the affected part was 
installed,
    (ii) crack length, and
    (iii) location for all cracks found.

(i) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the

[[Page 17545]]

burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph 
(j) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Wess Rouse, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Chicago ACO, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 
107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-8113; fax: 
(847) 294-7834; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) American Champion Aircraft Corp. Service Letter 442, dated 
February 16, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For American Champion Aircraft Corp. service information 
identified in this AD, contact American Champion Aircraft Corp., 
P.O. Box 37, 32032 Washington Ave., Rochester, Wisconsin 53167; 
telephone: (262) 534-6315; fax: (262) 534-2395; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.americanchampionaircraft.com/service-letters.html.
    (4) You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 3, 2017.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-06960 Filed 4-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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